A fire alarm system is comprised of many different components, each with different testing procedures. It is a necessary and essential practice to have your alarm system tested to ensure it operates properly. It is also needed to meet the requirements of your local building inspector, and even your insurance provider. If you do not have evidence of complete annual inspections, your insurance carrier may potentially reject a claim should you have an incident occur.
Early warnings play a vital role in a facility’s ability to safely evacuate its occupants during a fire emergency. A Fire inspection helps to limit your liability for any potential injuries suffered by tenants, employees, or guests at your business. Also, if you are a commercial business that has a fire alarm and you are open to the public, it is a requirement by the National Fire Alarm Code (NFPA 72) to have your alarm tested. The National Fire and Signaling Code defines a higher grade of fire protection and safety standards. This code specifies the application, testing, inspection, and maintenance of fire alarm systems. Municipalities across the United States have adopted the NFPA 72 as a standard in the enforcement of fire code regulations.
As a building owner, it is essential to have designated persons with knowledge of your fire alarm system. Visual inspections of alarm systems need to be performed frequently by a trained professional in order to ensure that the system is maintained in an operative condition, but extensive testing must be done on a semi-annual or annual basis by a qualified state licensed inspector. In order to meet both federal certification requirements and state licensure requirements, fire alarm systems are required to be inspected, tested and maintained in accordance to federal and state codes.
To be a qualified state licensed inspector, a company must obtain a factory trained certification from the alarm manufacturer. In addition, a state license which is governed by the Georgia State Licensing Board or a NICET (National Institute Certification for Engineering Technologies) license must be held. The statewide license is required for the design, installation, and maintenance of alarm systems, general systems, or telecommunication systems. Per the National Fire Protection Act Code, Southeast Fire and Burglar Alarm Company holds a high voltage electrical license and low voltage alarm license from the State of Georgia, National Institute Certification for Engineering Technicians, as well as factory trained certification.
Pineland’s Southeast Fire and Burglar Alarm Company offers state certified fire testing as a service to any business, even if we did not install the alarm system. Through this service, we give a thorough visual examination to every device attached to a fire alarm ensuring that the system and its components are free of physical damage. We will confirm that every device is functioning properly through the testing of each mechanism. We offer semi-annual and annual certifications, depending on the business’s needs. These certifications ensure that your system is up-to-code and, most importantly, lives are protected. It is essential for a qualified state licensed inspector be contacted for an alarm system assessment.